Final answer:
The Ottomans wanted to conquer the Byzantine Empire because of the strategic importance of Constantinople's location on the Bosporus Strait, which controlled trade routes between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. The Ottoman conquest of Constantinople had economic, political, and religious motivations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Constantinople's location on the Bosporus Strait made the Ottomans want to conquer the Byzantine Empire for several reasons. Firstly, seizing Constantinople would give the Ottomans control over the strategic trade routes connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, including routes to the Middle East and the Silk Road. This would create a monopoly of trade for the Ottomans and allow them to benefit economically. Secondly, capturing Constantinople would send a clear message to other nations and establish the Ottomans as a dominant power in the region. Finally, there were religious and cultural motivations as well, as the conquest of Constantinople had been predicted in a hadith and held significant symbolic importance for Muslims.